Power demand soars, Karnataka targets higher coal stocks, extra rakes to secure thermal power supply

A view of BTPS at Kuditini near Ballari | Photo Credit: File Photo With the State’s daily power demand ranging between 310 MU and 350 MU compared to around 200 MU in August 2025, KPCL officials stated that hydropower alone cannot meet the State’s total electricity demand due to inadequate rainfall. KPCL is now working to increase thermal power generation to around 100MU per day to meet the growing demand. KPCL has set a target of generating 29,500 MU of thermal power this year. However, three thermal units that are currently under maintenance, rain water accumulation in coal mines and wet coal during transportation from other States to Karnataka has posed a challenge. KPCL officials said the combined installed capacity of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Yermarus Thermal Power Sta